Annulment question

[Chatter163]

It does NOT matter where you live! The tribunal that makes the decision is the one that oversees the cases for the parish that you were married

According to canon 1672, the tribunal of the domicile of either party is competent.

m.vatican.va/content/francescomobile/en/motu_proprio/documents/papa-francesco-motu-proprio_20150815_mitis-iudex-dominus-iesus.html

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I can NOT speak to whether there is a law that limits how long the judge can take to make his decision, but in regards to thoughts about pulling out of the process, I HIGHLY advise you NOT to pull out of the process.

It does NOT matter where you live! The tribunal that makes the decision is the one that oversees the cases for the parish that you were married at.

Example: You live in the U.S. but married in Ireland

In this example, even though you live in the U.S. it would be the tribunal in Ireland.
The tribunal court would be the one within the diocese the church in Ireland is. It wouldn’t matter if you moved to Greece, Italy, Asia, or any other place the decision
would still rest with the particular diocese in Ireland. Of course, if you are unhappy with the decision made you can always appeal to the Vatican.

My prayers are with you as you go through your annulment process. Pax et Bonum!

This is not at all in accord with the provisions of canon law relative to which of various tribunals can have jurisdiction to adjudicate a case.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Thank you Dan. I know now that I should have had a canon lawyer represent us from the start. At this point, frankly I am scared to do anything. The case is now on the judges list waiting a decision. I am afraid that if I get someone involved now that it will fall off the list and it will languish even longer. (or worse? maybe get a spiteful rejection? - I hate to think that, but I have ZERO trust in the process now)

Though no one has answered my question that I started this thread with ( is there anything in Canon law regarding time limits once a case is complete and awaiting a decision?) , I guess the answer is probably ‘no’ .

As I guess all can see from the venting I have done here
that this whole torturous process has become a serious test of my faith in times when my faith is already under pressure from the years of family problems. I know that I am not the only one who upon facing this situation is tempted just to walk away from the whole mess wishing I had never started it.

Since Dan is in the United States, I always hesitate to make much intervention when he has weighed in. This situation is so extreme, I will append a message to encourage you to reach out to him as well as to underscore the concerns he has expressed.

What you describe frankly causes me alarm – you have filled out a four page application and had two discussions? Are you saying you have provided nothing else written?

You leave me with the distinct impression that your case could not have been well pleaded and I am perplexed by your references to “space limit”. Because of the role of briefs, am I to understand that you and your witnesses have not been allowed to prepare for submission a full and detailed narrative of what your case is presenting? Personally, I would not be able to overemphasise the import of a canon lawyer’s involvement now, while a meaningful intervention can be made in this phase of the process.

I am very sorry – both for the experience which truly is an ordeal for many as well as for the many procedural problems you have encountered. I have been doing this for years and what you describe is very troubling to me.